Block and order station-signal



(No Model.)

B. F. FRBELAND.

BLOCK AND ORDER STATION SIGNAL.

Patented Oct. 2, 1888.

Min asses. %tn mn K UNITED STATES PATENT OFErcE.

BUCKNEF F. FREELAND, OF VISTULA, INDIANA.

BLOCK AND ORDER STATION-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,221. dated October 2, 1888.

Application filed February 10, 1888. Serial No. 263,625. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, BUcKNER F. FREELAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vistula, county of Elkhart, State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Block and Order Station-Signal, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object certain novel features of construction,whereby, among other important advantages,train-men are given in a more definite manner fuller instructions by the station agent than heretofore, as will appear in the following description and claims.

In the drawings forming apart of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation,the lower part being in vertical section; Fig. 2,a view of upper part of Fig. 1, showing operation; Fig. 3, an elevation of Fig. 2, looking from a point at the right and showing parts in a different position; and Fig. 4 shows lettered details in perspective.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A is an inclosed trench, preferably beneath the surface of the ground and leading from the station agents office to the signal. The lever L here shown is, for the purpose of illustration, supposed to be at the station and extending through the office-floor; but said lever may be located at any convenient place. The post P supports the light-house O, and the signal B B is attached to the side of said house. However, the signal might be placed, if pre ferred, in front of a window in the office-that is, attached to the building on the outside of the window in the relation that the signal has to the window D, Fig. l. v

To the fixed leaf B is hinged the swinging leaf B. They have different colors,which may be agreed upon by those interested, to designate different facts or instructions. To illustrate, I will say the inside of the leaves B Bthat is, inside when closed, as in Fig. 1, and the side shown in Fig. 2 when openis red. This indicates to thetrain-man that he is to call at the agents office for orders, as printed on the leafB, Fig. 2. In the night-time the red light S indicates orders. The leaf B being in front of the window D when thrown up, as in Fig. 2, the light in the house (3, shining through the window D and the red window S, produces the red light at night.

The outside of leaf B is painted white, and hence shows white when closed or swung down, as in Fig. 1. This indicates to the train-man to .proceed, that the track is clear, as indicated by the word Proceed on said leaf. The light shining through the window Dinstructs to proceed in the night-time. Then the leaves are partly open,so as to present the edge z, bearing the word Block, Figs. 3 and 4,the information is that the road ahead is not clear, that it is blocked that is,thatnot sufficient time has elapsed since the preceding train left the station for the present train to proceed, and that it must wait. A suitable color may be given the block signal, but will not be necessary, as the position it occupies will in dicate the instruction.

Fig. 8 shows the side presented to the station. When the leaf B is up, as in Fig. 2, the wings 0', attached to said leaf, will darken a portion of the window D on this side, which will show the agent that he has properly operated the signal, and that nothing is out of order. I do not wish to limit my invention to any partic ular means of operating the signal, as it is obvious that very many ways may be employed. The means below described for the purpose of illustrating an operative construction are,how-

ever, simple and successful.

To the arms re ofthe wings B is pivotally attached the npper end of the rods n. Thelower ends of the rods 10 are pivotal] y attached to the T end of the vertically-playing rod E. This rod has sliding hearings in tube a. The lower end of the rod E is provided with a rack, a, meshing with pinion o. The horizontally-sliding rack 0 also meshes with the pinion v. A connectingrod, e, pivotal] y attaches the lower end of the pivoted lever L to the end of the rack-bar a. By means of a spring-dog and ratchet the lever L is anchored at the required angle to hold the leafB at the desired position. Throwing the lever L to the right opens the 1eaves,asin Fig. 2, and,vice versa,when the lever is thrown to the left the leaves are closed.

The signals are alike on both opposite sides of the light-house, Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. A station-signal comprising the hinged leaves, indicating to the train-men when open orders, when closed proceed, and when partly open block, substantially as set forth.

2. A station-signal comprising the hinged leaves, red on the inside, the swinging leaf being provided with a red window, an uncolored lighted window back of the red window, the outside of the swinging leaf being white, and means to operate the signal, all combined substantially asset forth.

3. The combination of an elevated lighthouse, hinged leaves, one of them being attached to the side of the house in position to admit of swinging the other leaf up in front of the light-house window, both leaves indicating when open orders, in the day-time,and a red light in the swinging leaf indicating or ders in the night-time,thelatter-named leaf, when closed, indicating proceed in the daytime, and the white light of the light-house indicating the same thing at night, said leaves, when partly open, indicating block, and

suitable means to operate the signal, substantially as set forth.

4. In combination with the light-house, the signal-leaves, the swinging one of which is provided with the arm which darkens or covers a portion of the light-house window which faces the station.

5. lhe combination of the light house, hinged signal-leaves, theswinging leaves of which have a lever projecting therefrom, the vertically-playing rod having the rack end, rods pivotally attaching the leaf-levers to the other end of the vertically-playing rod, the station-lever, the rack-bar jointedly attached to said rack-bar, and the pinion meshing with the racks, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name in presence of two witnesses.

BUOKNER F. FREELAND.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM F. HARIE, EDWIN BILLINGToN. 

